Derby County
- Derby County have won four of their last five games, and have won their last two in a row.
- John Eustace’s system-first approach has created a compact, structured, and tough-to-beat unit that profits on the break.
- Eustace’s Derby County have been particularly solid on their home ground, where the Rams have won eight, drawn six, and lost just six of their 20 Championship matches this season.
- Derby have taken maximum points in their last three at home, turning Pride Park into a stronghold.
Stoke City
- Stoke have won one of their last five matches, losing three times in that span.
- Stoke have won six and drawn four of their 20 Championship away games, losing ten times on their travels.
- Stoke City, who sit 15th in the Championship after collecting 51 points from 39 games, have been unable to break into the top half in 2025-2026.
- Robins has tried to rebuild Stoke’s tactical identity around a pragmatic, physical brand that wins second balls and creates danger from set pieces.
- The Potters’ attacking players have to be at their best to be dangerous, and the visitors’ average of 0.85 goals per away game suggests they’ve struggled when travelling.
Head-to-Head
- The visitors have won once and drawn once in the last two Championship H2Hs.
- Derby’s structure should allow them to compete well against a Stoke side that has failed to win its last two away visits to Derby County.
Key Players
- Carlton Morris is Derby’s most significant goal threat with ten goals in 24 appearances.
- Derry Murkin has provided three assists in his last five Derby appearances and has been key to getting the ball to the forwards in promising positions.
Betting Insights
With Derby coming into this game on the back of a two-game winning streak , and Stoke having lost their last three away matches, the Rams look worthy of their 2.0 odds to make it three straight home wins.
Prediction
Expect Derby to edge this one given their strong home form and Stoke’s away struggles.
